I have a 1996 Trans Am WS6. It is mostly stock, the only upgrades are 3.73 gears, a K&N filter, NGK plugs, and a Magnaflow exhaust (swapping it for a GMMG cat back that came in the mail today). I recently bought a Hypertech programmer and BBK 58mm TB to get a little extra power. The BBK TB came in the mail today, and on the left side where the sensor bolts into it, there is a bolt snapped in the hole, so I have to send it back in exchange for a new one...

BUT here is my question. Since this is mainly a show car and a driver rather than a race car, and I don't plan on doing any radical upgrades, would there be any benefits to a BBK 58mm over a ported stock TB? The reason I ask is because I also purchased a nice TB plate with a TA bird on it, and the BBK does not have bolt holes on the top for this plate. Should I exchange the BBK for a new one, or just return it and buy a ported stock TB so I can still have the nice plate? If ported stock is the way to go, where can I buy one already done and ready to bolt in?

 

Shaner ported my TB. came out nice

 

58mm is way too big for what you have done to the car so far...return it, get the stocker ported, and stick some money in your pocket

 

Hell for what you have a plain non ported stocker would do fine....

 

You're not going to benefit from a larger or ported TB with those mods.

 

Alright thanks for the info guys. Looks like I will just be returning it.

 

Reiterating the above, a stock unmolested TB is plenty.

 

not porting your intake to match will also make purchasing a larger throttle body worthless.

 

My "ws-6 plate" bolted onto my BBK just fine...

 

The stock throttle body can support 400 hp, a 52mm can support 475, and a 58mm/monoblade much more. For a bolton car or even a mildly cammed car a simply air foil will suffice.

 

Might want to throw that Hypertech Programmer in the garbage while you're at it..

 

Ehh they arent that bad (though I would never buy one. I got mine free). Im in the 12s with minor bolt ons and a hypertech...

 

On a stock motor id go with a 52mm ported stocker off ebay. I felt a difference on my basically stock LT1. On my H/C build I ran an AS&M 58MM. Worked fine and was definitely snappier

 

Gentlemen... The placebo effect.

 

you've come to the right place op, next time check in before you buy

 

Alright thanks for the replies everyone. I ended up returning the 58mm BBK and I bought a used 52mm ported stocker, machined by the same guy who does the TB plates for ws6store... It was also powder coated black which is a plus.

I have to ask though, what is wrong with the Hypertech programmers? Now I am thinking about returning that and getting something else, any recommendations?

And while I'm at it, I read a magazine article somewhere in the past couple years that explained the ratio for rocker arms, and a 1.65 for example would increase lift over a 1.5... I was thinking about replacing the stock rocker arms with roller rockers... Would that show any increase in power? If so, what brand and ratio would be recommended?

I am really just trying to maximize the performance on my TA without getting into the motor or anything. I would love to do a H/C combo but not right now lol. Are there any other upgrades you would recommend?

Thanks everyone

 

Sounds like you want more than show car/driver mods now....hehehe

 

Lol ummean I drive the car a lot, and I take it to many shows throughout the summer and I keep it very clean. I have never taken it to the drag strip... MAYBE this year I will, just to see what it can do. I don't need to spend the money on headers, and the motor only has 40k on it so there's no need to take out the motor and build a stroker or anything. It has the stock 10 bolt rear with 3.73 gears, and I have no intentions of installing a 12 bolt or 9" rear... I bought a TA preformance rear end girdle for a little extra strength and that will be the extent of rearend strengthening mods lol. The clutch and flywheel are also stock, I will not be swapping them until they need to be, which shouldn't be for a while.

I basically just want to do simple bolt ons to make driving a bit more fun... not that it isn't fun already... but you can never have enough power right?

So I did the ca back which sounds amazing, I did the K&N filter, a stock poted TB, a programmer... What else is there without going overboard?

 

I would get some 1.6 roller rockers now and then get a mail order tune instead of the hypertech.

 

You could do the coolant throttle body bypass which is good for a few hp. There aren't too many free mods after that that will gain you anything big.

Headers and a mail order tune would be my choice. GMMG + headers with a catted y is one of the best sounding exhaust combos for these cars.

You could also focus on suspension. A good set of shocks and springs will make the car more fun to drive. Sub frame connectors are also a must; they will tighten the whole car up.